Sylvie and Bruno

er arms twined closely around the old man's neck

. It's one of the pr

r so far from Outland: and we'

a month ago. They sent two ambassadors, to make sure that their invitation to me, to be their new King, should reach me. One was a Prince; so he was able to come

ave we come?" S

et one, since the Gardener

" Bruno repeated.

le, littl

"I mean may I eat

l find out what Pleasure is like-the Pleasure

a fruit that was shaped something like a b

e gradually more gloomy, and were very b

lained. "I couldn't feel nuffin in my mo

gravely replied. "Are th

ing, because you don't belong to El

e said, and jumped down off the King's knee. "There's some

o I followed Bruno, who was picking and eating other kinds of fruit, in the vain hope of finding some that had a tas

," the old man was saying, "

up, so that he might see the light through it, a heart-shaped Locket, apparently cut

e words inscribed on it. "All-will-love-Sylvie," he made them out at last. "And s

"Now, Sylvie, look at this." And he showed her, lying on the palm of his hand, a Locket of a deep

aimed Sylvie, clasping her ha

is one, too," said Bruno

said the old man: "different

rling. I'll give you wh

The crims

e, and then made her decision. "It's very nice to be loved," she said:

a long loving kiss. Then he undid the chain, and showed her how to fasten it round her neck, and to hide it away under the edge

remember,"

back or they'll be missing you and then

n went I was to go-but no shadow of doubt seemed to cross their minds as they hugged and kissed him murmuring over and over again "Good-bye darling

t he saw

e chimn

gain, and f

r's Husba

eave this hou

d for the

thought he sa

aiting in the road.' "And that's what I'd have done-as sure as potatoes aren't radishes

pay-rints?"

rse!" the Gardener replied. "Yo

efied (at least I felt so) at the sudden transition from the half-darkness of

s here, my Lady," he said, taking from her the wraps and small articles she was carrying: and La

ter giving directions to have my boxes sent after me, I made my way on foot to Arthur's lodgings, and soon lost my lonely feeling i

r look at you! Well, you do look a bit pulled down!" and he put on a solemn professional air. "I prescribe Oz

ated. "Society doesn't 'r

ome, lawn-tennis, 3 P.M. At home, kettledrum, 5 P.M. At home, music (

And I know some of the lady-society already," I add

e? Then perhaps I

o what she was like-well, I thought

tor coloured slightly as he added "Yes

to her!" I went on misc

y resisted all my attempts to return to the subject of Lady Muriel until the evening had almost worn itself awa

you had seen more of her, and formed your own judgment of her: but somehow you surprised it out of me. And I've not breathed a w

"Why, man, I'm three times her age! But if she's you

ust himself to say more on a subject so sacred and so precious. Silence followed: and I leaned back drowsily in my easy-chair,

under arching trees, in a sweet garden of their own, and welcomed back

f so gracious a master and mistress and how strangely childlike they looked! I could have taken th

t he saw a

tioned hi

gain, and f

le of Ne

ing I regre

it cann

ding close beside me, discussing an open letter, which had just been ha

ng savagely at Sylvie and Bruno, who were courteously listening

etter again," said my Lady. A

animously elected by the Council of Elfland: and that you will allow your son Bruno of whos

e difficulty?"

e: and he's sure to see Sylvie and Bruno: and then, when he sees Uggug, and re

than Uggug?" my Lady indignantly inter

r only chance is to keep those two brats out of sight. If you can manage that, you may le

name to Bruno, of co

e said musingly. "Wouldn't do. The boy's such a

my Lady. "He's no mor

e Vice-Warden soothingly I

e Ambassador," she said, and beckoned to the Prof

Library,

ay his name was?" s

rd he held in his hand. "His A

with such a funny

e journey," the Professor meekly

dy said to the Vice-Warden, "an